US Department of Education Guidelines for Foreign Education Credential Evaluation

Introduction

In today’s globalized world, the recognition and validation of educational credentials from diverse backgrounds are essential for individuals seeking academic and professional opportunities abroad. Amidst this complexity, the guidelines established by the US Department of Education (DOE) serve as a crucial framework for navigating the credential evaluation process.

The DOE's stance is clear: it neither endorses nor recommends specific credential evaluation agencies or organizations. Instead, it underscores the autonomy of individual state departments of education and institutions to set their own requirements for evaluation providers. While federal regulation is absent in this domain, the DOE advises applicants to rely on evaluation agencies recommended by their intended recipients, such as employers or universities.

Furthermore, the DOE emphasizes the importance of thoroughness and accuracy in the evaluation process, particularly regarding professional qualifications in regulated fields like teaching or medicine. Understanding these guidelines is paramount for individuals navigating the complex landscape of credential evaluation, ensuring fairness, transparency, and reliability.

In this blog post, we delve into the intricacies of the DOE’s credential evaluation guidelines, exploring their implications for applicants and providing insights into best practices for navigating the evaluation process effectively. By shedding light on these guidelines, we aim to empower individuals to pursue their academic and professional aspirations with confidence and clarity.

Understanding the DOE’s Credential Evaluation Guidelines

The US Department of Education does not endorse specific credential evaluation companies or organizations, which the Department clearly states on its official website:

“There is no federal regulation of credential evaluation services. The U.S. Department of Education does not endorse or recommend any individual credential evaluation service or any individual association of credential evaluation services.” (https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/)

It’s important to recognize that although no regulation exists to approve or regulate credential evaluations providers at the federal level, individual state departments of education and individual institutions including employers and universities can set their own requirements for credential evaluation providers. In this light, the US Department of Education recommends using credential evaluation agencies recommended by the intended recipient, such as an employer or university.

Many American universities require evaluations from evaluation companies that are members of NACES or AICE, and are known for their strict adherence to document validation procedures that include processes such as only working with original documents and using secure document transfer and carrier services. It’s important to understand that these procedures can be more costly and time consuming than other credential evaluation services and applicants should take those factors into consideration and allow ample time for those credential evaluation services to process and deliver their evaluations.

Moreover, when it comes to the evaluation of professional qualifications, such as teaching certifications or medical licenses, it is crucial to understand that many credential evaluations services are unable to attest to or certify an applicant’s ability to work in a regulated profession. Only professional organizations and specific approved credential evaluation providers can license holders of foreign professional qualifications to work in the US. For more information on professional licensure, see the Department of Education’s page: https://sites.ed.gov/international/professional-licensure/.

While a credential evaluation company may be able to tell you if their evaluation reports are acceptable for your intended organization, it is still prudent to do your own research and ensure that you understand the credential evaluation requirements set by your organization and confirm if your chosen evaluation provider is acceptable.

Overview of the US Department of Education's Guidelines

Because the Department doesn’t endorse or recommend credential evaluation agencies, its guidelines are very general. Specifically, the Department recommends that holders of foreign education credentials check with their specific organization for any requirements that organization may maintain regarding credential evaluation providers. Some employers and universities, for instance, might conduct credential evaluations internally, although most organizations require an evaluation from a third-party credential evaluations provider.

Moreover, the Department advises that foreign credential documentation that is not in English might require translation to be evaluated. This is especially true of documentation in non-latin languages, such as Chinese or Arabic. But most credential evaluation companies will require a certified translation and the original language documents for the evaluation of academic credentials not in English. This requirement exists for two primary reasons. First of all, the evaluator may not speak or know the language of the original documentation and thus requires a translation to be able to determine what the documents are. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, an evaluation based on the original documents and a certified translation is a more sound and valid evaluation as it proves that the evaluator had a full understanding of the documents evaluated and limits the possibility of any language barrier hindering the evaluation process. You may find more information on certified translations at this page.

The Department also highlights that “credential evaluations are done on an individual, case-by-case basis and take into consideration various factors.” This is crucial to understand. While there are constants in degree programs around the world, each degree should be considered as a unique case to a credential evaluator. An evaluator should take into account all aspects of the specific degree being reviewed, including factors such as when the degree was completed and how, since degree programs change over time and degree paths themselves can be unique. A common example, for instance, is the Bachelor of Education degree from India, which prior to 2015 was a one-year program, but is now a two-year program. An evaluator who doesn’t take into consideration nuances such as a change in program like what the Indian B.Ed degree programs underwent, is doing a disservice to the credibility of their evaluation services company and to their customers.

Perhaps one of the most important things the Department mentions in its guidelines is that most credentials evaluation companies have some sort of appeal process by which a customer can request a change to their evaluation report or re-examination of their credentials. It is always possible that a credential evaluation company can make a mistake or that additional information can change the outcome of an evaluation. It’s important to consider whether your credential evaluations provider has such a process and to understand how it works.

Principles of Credential Evaluation

Credentials Evaluations Agencies typically rely on experienced evaluators and concrete objective third-party resources to conduct evaluations. Experience imparts an evaluator with the knowledge and skills to know what to look for when evaluating foreign academic documentation and the expertise to accurately assess the documents. But experience alone is not enough to produce a valid and accurate evaluation. Most agencies rely on a knowledge bases, such as the prominent AACRAO EDGE database, which provides updated information on degree types for every country, including information such as grading scales, education ladders, descriptions of the education systems, and links to the various respective education agencies, ministries, and departments or accreditation bodies relevant to each country.

A credential evaluation should be fair and accurate, based on objective information and free from any bias on the part of the evaluator or their company. Moreover, evaluation agencies should be transparent about their processes and procedures and willing to discuss the conclusions of their evaluation reports with their clients. Most evaluation agencies will have some sort of process in place to appeal the results of an evaluation. This is not to say that evaluation companies should readily amend every evaluation based on the customer’s request. Evaluations should remain objective and fair but it is also the responsibility of the evaluator to professionally respond to customer concerns and be open to discussing appeals.

Conclusion

Understanding the US Department of Education's guidelines for credential evaluation is essential for individuals navigating the process of validating their educational qualifications. While the Department does not endorse specific evaluation agencies, it provides general recommendations and principles to guide applicants. It's crucial to recognize the importance of adhering to these guidelines, as they ensure fairness, accuracy, and transparency in the evaluation process. By following these guidelines and conducting thorough research, applicants can navigate the credential evaluation process effectively and position themselves for success in pursuing their academic and professional goals.